The current editor of BBC’s 'Newsnight' and former deputy editor of 'The Guardian' becomes director of programs in January.

In the company's top programming role, he will succeed Ralph Lee who has been interim chief creative officer since the departure of Jay Hunt in September. Hunt had served as chief creative officer of Channel 4 since 2011 before announcing she was leaving. Apple recently named her to a top international programming post.

Katz is currently editor of BBC’s Newsnight and was previously deputy editor of The Guardian. He will join Channel 4 in January.

"Ian is an inspirational leader who assiduously builds and nurtures talented and empowered teams," said Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon. "He has fantastic instincts and intelligence, huge editorial strength and is a proven creative and digital innovator, who lives and breathes the Channel 4 values.”

Katz said: "I’m impossibly excited to be joining a broadcaster whose unique combination of innovation, risk-taking and elan I have admired for decades as a viewer — and more recently as a frequently envious rival. Channel 4’s deeply held values and relentlessly challenging sensibility have never been more important or relevant and I feel incredibly privileged to play a part in shaping the next stage of its remarkable journey."